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Disclosure of unknown harms in magnetic resonance imaging research

Jennifer Marshall1

  • 1Dalhousie University, Health Law Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. jennifer.marshall@dal.ca

Accountability in Research
|March 23, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Communicating unknown risks from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is challenging. A review found that potential unknown harms of MRI were often not disclosed to participants or research ethics boards (REBs).

Area of Science:

  • Medical Imaging
  • Bioethics
  • Patient Safety

Background:

  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) poses known risks like projectile effects and implant displacement.
  • Potential unknown long-term health effects from MRI's static magnetic fields remain a concern.
  • Effective communication of these unknown risks is inherently difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the disclosure of unknown risks in previously approved MRI research studies.
  • To identify issues related to the communication of potential unknown harms of MRI to participants and research ethics boards (REBs).
  • To propose improvements for satisfactorily communicating information about unknown MRI harms.

Main Methods:

  • A research ethics board (REB) file review was conducted.
  • Analysis focused on previously approved MRI research studies.
  • The review assessed the adequacy of disclosure regarding unknown risks.

Main Results:

  • Unknown risks associated with MRI were frequently left undisclosed in research files.
  • Disclosure of potential unknown harms to research participants was often inadequate.
  • Information provided to REBs regarding unknown MRI risks was also insufficient.

Conclusions:

  • Current practices inadequately address the communication of unknown MRI risks.
  • There is a need for improved strategies to inform participants and REBs about potential unknown harms.
  • Enhanced disclosure methods are crucial for ethical MRI research conduct.

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